Vending-machine.



' \o.-846,9l7. PATENTED MAR. 12, 1907.

' F, FOOTE L N. M. JOHNSTON.

VENDING MAGHNE.

APPLICATION FILED IEEB. 3, 1906.

S SHEETS-SHEET l.

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atta/guus No. 846,917. PATENTED MAR. 12, 1907.

P. POOTE N. M. JOHNSTON.

VENDING MACHINE. I

APPLICATION FILED I'B. 3,'1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 846,917. PATENTED MAR. l2, 1907.

P. OOTE & N. M. JOHNSTON.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3, 1906.

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE Naam; PETERS cn` wAsmNcTon u iiiviTnD STATES PATENT orrion.

FRANK FOOTE, OF MYSTIC, AND NORMAN M. JOHNSTON, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT; SAID JOHNSTON ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF OF HIS RIGHT TO EDVARD L. BELKNAP, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

VENDlNG-NIACHINE.

Speeicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented March 12, 1907.

Application filed February 3, 1906. Serial No. 299,356.

Be it known that we, FRANK FooTE` and NORMAN M. JOHNSTON, citizens of the United States, residing at Mystic, in the county of New London, and Hartford, in the county of I-Iartford, respectively, and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Vendi ng-Machines, of which the f ollowing is a speciiication.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic vending-machines, and has particular reference to that class of such machines in which a coin is used and in which such coin when moved to a predetermined position in such machine forms a link whereby the different operative p arts of the device are engaged and operated.

The objects of the invention are to provide, rst, a device wherein the article sought will be positively delivered on each operation of the machine; second, a device wherein the delivery mechanism will be positively an d securely locked against movement until the proper coin has reached such position in the coin-operated mechanism as to form the necessary engaging link between the different parts of said mechanism; third, a device wherein a means is provided whereby the articles to be delivered cannot become so jammed or packed as to prevent the free and proper operation of the device; fourth, and means whereby a coin of less than the required denomination or a coin of the proper denomination which has been worn thin and its `value consequently diminished will be passed through the device without operating the mechanism. to deliver an article, and, fifth, the provision of means whereby slugs or other false pieces will be deflected from the acoin-path before they have entered the operating parts of the device.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be app arent during the course of the detailed description.

To these ends the invention consists in the novel combination, construction, and arrangement of the several `parts of the device, as hereinafter described, illustrated in the drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a vending-machine having assembled therein three of our improved vending apparatus and showing applied thereto a removable boX or magazine for holding the articles to be delivered. Fig. 2 is a side view of the delivery mechanism, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the coin-operating mechanism, partly broken away to show a slot in the rear side of the slide. Fig. i is a longitudinal sectional view of the coin-operated mechanism. Fig. 5 is a plate for covering the operative mechanism and carrying the magazine and a mechanism for preventing the articles being jammed and the delivery mechanism clogged. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of our improved boX or magazine for holding` the articles to be delivered. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a part of the coin-operated mechanism, the top plate thereof being removed, showing in full lines the relative positions of the parts in position to receive a coin and in dotted lines the positions when the device has been operated. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the stationary plate or support upon which the operating-slide of the device is reciprocated and the upwardly-extending ears or flanges of a coin-operated slide setting through the slots of said plate. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the bottom plate of the coin-operated mechanism and the coin-operated slide carried thereby. 10 is a top view of the bottom plate of said coin-operated mechanism. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the coin-operated slide, and Fig.12 is a view of a portion of the coin-race, showing a slot or opening in the side thereof and a magnet adjacent thereto.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 indicates the boX or casing in which one or more of the mechanisms may be assembled. In Fig. l three of these mechanisms are shown assembled in a single boX or casing, as is apparent. It is evident, however, that any number desired may be assembled in a single boX.

The numeral 2- ,indicates a suitable casing in which is carried and supported the delivery mechanism and the coin-operated mechanism. This casing is preferably divided into two compartments by the partition 3. In the larger compartment 4 is located the delivery mechanism 5, which comprises an endless carrier 6, carried by the rolls 7 and 8 and sup- IOO ported centrally by a horizontal plate 9, located between said belt and on a line with the tops of said rolls, as shown in Fig. 2. The roll 7 is ournaled in suitable bearings in the forward end of said compartment and is preferably provided at each end with guides or flanges 7/ 7. The roll S is rigidly mounted on a shaft 10, which is journaled in adjustable bearings 11 11, mounted in the side wall ol.' the casing 2 and in the partition 3, respectively. 12 12 indicate the adjusting screws for said adjustable bearings; 13, studs on the surface of the roll S, adapted. to enter corresponding aperture 14 in the endless carrier 6 and are for the purpose of preventing said carrier slipping as it passes over said roll, and 15 15 are guides or llanges at each end. of the roll 6, and these7 together with the guides or llanges 7 7l on the roll 7 serve to prevent said carrier ruiming o l l d rolls during the operation thereof. i The conipartments or packets 18 of the endless carrier 6 are formed7 preferably, bythe cross-bars 1.7 17, as shown. Ttwillbe evident,however, that the form and manner of constructing said packets will depend upon the character of the article in connection with which it is to be used. The numeral 15S indicates a delivery slide or pan the upper end of which is located just beneath the forwarril cnd ol' the carrier and projects downward and out through an opening 19 in the lower portion of the forward end wall of said casing The numeral 2U indicates the top plate of the casing 2 and is provided with a rectangular opening 2l, which opening is located directly above the carrier 6 and is provided in its forward end with a roll 22, which is rotated by the cross-bars of the vcarrier 6 as they pass thereunder and is for the purpose of proven ting more than one article being carried thereunder by said carrier7 thereby preventing the clogging or jamming of the dclivery device and also preventing the delivery of more than one article at a time.

The numeral 23 indicates the boX or magazine in which the articles to be delivered are stored and has, preferably, a hinged top 24 and a slidable bottom 25 and. the side edges of said boaY depending below said slidable bottom, all as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing. This box or magazine is designed to be used as a removable hopper and is adapted to be set over the opening 21 in the plate 20 in such manner or position that the depending side edges will project down through said opening to within a short distance of the belt of the endless carrier, whereby said box will be held. to said plate in position over the carrier and the bottom thereof withdrawn to permit the contents thereof to fall upon the carrier after said box has been placed in position.

The numeral 26 indicates a notched wheel i l i l l l keyed on the extended. end 27 of the shaft l 1() in the compartment 28, as shown. This wheel 2S is provided in. its periphery with notches 29.

The numeral 3() indicates an arm loosely mounted on said extended end 27 of the shaft 1() adjacent to said. notched wheel and is provided at its free end. with a spring pawl 31, which pawl is adapted to engage the notches 29 for a purpose hereinafter stated.

The numeral 32 indicates the coin-operated devi cc, which comprises a coin-entra1j1 ce chute or race 33, secured in an opening bl at the end of the casing 2 and projecting inward and downward. to a suitable support 35. The bottom of this race S33 is provided with a coin-passage 36, registering with a similar passage 37 in said support and also with a similar j assage 36 in a plate 39, as shown in Fig. 4. The race 33 is also provided on one of its sides withv a slot 40, adjacent to which. is a fixed magnet 411, mounted in the support 35. This magnet 4:1, is preferably incased in a brass tube or case, but has that portion of the ease thereof which lies next the slot 4() eut away, so as to subject articles passing along the race to a magnetic pull, and is for the purpose of dellecting a slug in its passage along the race through the slot 40, and thereby preventing it entering the main part of the coin-operated device, as is evident, and when thus deflected such slug falls by gravity to the bottom of the device and does not7 of course, pass through the coin-operated mechanism, and therefore does not cause the device to be operated.

The numeral 39 indicates a suitable plate or support rigidly secured in the compartment 28, preferably to the partition S, either by the flanged portion 42 thereof or in any other convenient or suitable manner. In the top of this plate 39 is a slot 43, having ears 1lto either side thereof, and 445 indicates a kicker or coin-ejector pivoted between said ears le and setting in said slot eliV (h1 the top of said plate 39 to one side of the slot 43 is a bracket 46, in which is pivoted a rearwardly-eXtending locking-arm L1:7, having the free end 48 thereof provided with a downwardly-extending tooth or lug 119, adapted to rest on thc surface ol' thc periphery of the notched wheel and also engage with onc of the notches 29 therein to hold thedelivery mechanism against movement, as is apparent, and held positively in such engage ment by means of a spring 59, and 51 is a suitable guide for holding said arm in position to engage said notched wheel.

52 indicates a spring-pressed dog pivoted to the arm Lf7 and extends downward into and through a slot in said plate .'39 and is for a purpose herr-xinafter stated. Beneath the plate 39 in sliding contact therewith is a suitable coin-slide 54, one end 55 of which projects to the outside of the device through TOC a slot 56 and is provided with a handle 57 of any suitable or desired construction. This slide 54 is provided with a coin-seat 58, which is cut on each side by longitudinal slots 59 59, as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawing. To the rear of the coin-seat 58, between the slots 59 59, is a short slot 60, and extending from the rear end of this slot 6() to the end of the plate is a slot 61, slightly wider than the slot 60 and affording at the juncture of the two slots the shoulders 62. This slide is also provided at one side near the rear thereof with an open slot 63. Immediately below this slide 54 and supporting the same is a fixed plate 64, provided with a coin-passage 65, which is cut on each side by the longitudinal slots 66 66, which passage and slots are adapted to register with the coin-seat 58 and the slots 59 59, respectively, when operated. The slots 66 66, however, it will be observed, are of less length than the slots 59 59 of the slide 54.

64 is a suitable upwardly-extending stop on the plate 64 and is for the purpose of limiting the rearward movement of the slide 54 by abutting against the inner end of the slot 60, as indicated in Fig. 7.

The numeral 67 indicates a fixed plate located beneath the plate 64, and interposed between this plate and said plate 64 is a slidable coin-operatable plate or slide 68. The rear end of this slide 68 is provided with a downwardly-extending arm or bracket 69, which sets in and projects through a longitudinal slot 70 in the plate 67 and upon which is secured an adjustable yoke 71, as shown. This slide 68 is provided about centrally thereof with a coin-passage 72 and its forward end cut to the arc of a circle, which cut-away portion 73 is iianked on each side by an upwardly-extending lug or finger 74 74,

which lugs or fingers are adapted to set into and through the slots 66 66'of the plate 64 and the slots 59 59 of the slide 54, respectively. In the inner upper edges of these lugs or fingers 74 74 are grooves or channels 74 74, for a purpose hereinafter stated. The plate 67 is also provided with a stop 75 of the shape shown in Fig. 10 and is for the purpose of limiting the forward movement of the slide 68, as is evident. This plate 67 is also provided with a coin-passage 76, which registers with the coin-passage 72 of the slide 68 when the latter is in its eXtreme forward position. Beneath this coin-passage 76 in the plate 67 is a forwardly-extending inclined coin chute or race 77, having at its end a hinged gate 78, the free end of which abuts against a stop 79, secured to the front wall of the casing 2 beneath the coin-view window 80. 81 indicates a link connecting the adjustable yoke 71 onthe bracket or arm 69 of the slide 68, with the pawl-arm 30. as shown.

The numeral 82 indicates an arm pivoted to the wall of the casing or to` the partition 3 and has pivoted at its upper end a latch 83, adapted to be engaged by the arm 69 of the slide 68. 84 is a stop on said arm 82 to limit the downward swing of said latch, and 85 is a suitable keeper for holding said arm 82 in proper position.

86 indicates a link connecting the arm 82 with the gate 78 and 87 a spring for drawing the arm 82 forward, and thereby keeping the gate 78 closed.

The several parts of the device being assembled and arranged as shown in the draw.- ings and the magazine or removable hopper being placed in position, the device will be in condition for operation and delivery of the goods.

To operate the device, al coin of the proper size and denomination is placed in the race `33, and if such coin or piece be a slug it will be deflected from said race through the slot 40 by means of the magnet 41 and will fall to the bottom of the device, and as it does not pass into the coin-slide and through the coin-operated apparatus it will not, of course, cause said device to deliver an article. If such piece, however, be a coin of the proper size, it will slide down said race into and through the passages 36, 37, and 38 to the coin-slide 54. Tf the slide 54 be not withdrawn at the time the coin is inserted, said coin will pass thereto and rest thereon until said slide is pulled to its forward limit, when the coin. will fall into the coin-seat 58, which at this time registers with the passages 36, 37, and The coin now being seated in the coin-seat 58, the coinslide 54 is pushed rearwardlyuntil said coin engages with the upwardly-extending flanges or fingers 74 74 of the coin-operated plate 68, projecting up wardly through the slots 66 66 of the plate 64 and the slots 59 59 of said coin-plate 54. If such coin be of smaller diameter than the required coin., it will pass between said lugs or fingers 74 74 and fall from the coin-seat 58 and through the passages 65, 72, and 76 and thence to the coin chute or race 77. 1f such coin be of the proper size yet worn so thin or smooth as to decrease its value, it will ass between said lugs or ngers 74 74 through the grooves or channels 74 74 and fall to the coin-chute 77, as does a small coin. Tt will be evident that in neither of these instances will the device be operated` Then thus engaged by the coin, the slides 54 and 68 are locked, and the further rearward movement of said slide 54 carries with it the coin-operated slide 68. As the slide 68 is moved rearwardly arm 69, which moves therewith, through the link 81, arm 30, and pawl 31, causes the notched wheel 26 to rotate one step at each reciprocation of said coin-operated slide 68. The pawl 31 on said arm 30 being spring-pressed will on the forward oscillation of the said arm engage a notch 29,

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and thus cause said wheel to rotate, as described. Just before the slides 54 and 68 have' reached the limit of their rearward movement the rear end of the kicker or ej ector 45, which sets in. the slot 6l in the rear end of the coin-slide 54, is struck by the shoulders 62 at the forward end of said slot and 'raised thereby, wh ereby the forward end of said kicker-ejector is suddenly thrown down. against the coin and kicks the same into the chute 77 through the passages`65 and 76, whence it is carried to the gate 7 8, where it it held to view through the window 8O until the succeeding operation of the device. When the coin is ejected from the device, the further rearward movement of the slides 54 is prevented by the stop 64, as stated. The locking-arm 47, the free end. of which is normally in engagement with the notched wheel or disk 26, is raisedv out of such engagement by the rearward movement of the slide 54 to permit the rotation of said notched wheel through the spring-pressed dog 52. As the slide 54 is moved rearward the rear end of said slide engages said dog 52 and raises the same and the arm attached thereto and holds `the free end of said arm in elevated position until said notched wheel `has been rotated one step a distance suflicient to permit the tooth 49 to rest upon the periphery of said notched wheel, on which it slides while said wheel is being rotated one step. As the slide 54 is pushed farther rearward the slot 63 therein is presented beneath said dog 52, so that when said wheel has been rotated one notch the said dog will enter said slot, thereby lowering the arm 47 and permitting the tooth 49 to enter the next succeeding notch in said wheel wherein it is yieldingly held by the spring 50. The rotation of the notched wheel or disk 26 will or course rotate the shaft 10, to which it is keyed and also upon which the driving-roll of the endless carrier .is fixed, and thereby operates said endless carrier to deliver articles upon the pan i8, as is evident. By reason of the arrangement and position of the roll 22 it will not be possible for the articles in the box or magazine becoming iammed as the device is operated, as said roll will prevent the passage of more than one article at a time, thus insuring a properly and orderly working of the machine.

The device having thus been operated, the coin-slide is drawn forward to its extreme limit of movement ready for another operation. In its forward movement said coinslide engages the forward end of the kicker or ejector 45 andraises the same out of the coinseat onto its upper surface. At the same time the rear end of said kicker again falls back into its normal position in the slot 61. .ln this forward movement of said coin-slide the rear face of the dog 52 is engaged by the shoulder forming the rear end of the slot 61, whereupon said dog yields and rides up onto the surface of said slide 54 without raising the end of the arm 47 from engagement wil h said notched wheel 26. As the slide moves farther forward said dog passes oil. of said slide 54 at the rear end thereof, when the spring of said dog returns it to .normal position., As the slide 54 is drawn farther forward the rear ends of the slots 59 engage the upwardly-extending flanges or fingers 74 of the coin-operated slide 68, whereupon both said slides are moved forward until the said flanges or Vlingers 74 engage the forward ends of the slots 66 66 in the plate or stop 64. The arm 69 of the slide 68 in its forward movement strikes the top of the dog 83, which tips and permits said arm. to pass to the forward thereof, when said dog returns to its normal position by gravity.

When the slide 54 is again. pushed rearward with the proper coin seated therein, the operation above described is repeated. The coin ejected during the previous operation is resting on the gate 78, and as the coin-operated slide is pushed rearwardly the arm 66 engages the dog 83, and through said dogl the lever 82 and link 86 the gate 78 is opened and the coin falls therefrom to the bottom of the device, and said arm 69 passes on and releases said dog, whereupon said dog, arm H2,

` link S6, and gate 7S are returned to normal position by the spring 87.

It is apparent that there may be various modifications and minor changes made in the construction of our invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and we therefore do not desire to be understood as limiting ourselves to the exact constructimi herein shown.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is*

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-slide provided with a coin-seat therein, of a coin-operated slide located beneath said coin-slide and provided with coin-engaging means 'projecting above said coin-slide adapted to be engaged by a coin in said seat, whereby said coinslide and coin-operated slide will be locked and moved together to the limit of their rearward n'iovement.

2. In. a device of the character described. the coinl'iination with a coin-slide provided with a coin-seat therein, of a coin-operated slide located beneath said coin-slide and provided with a coin-engaging means proiecting above said coin-slide, whereby said slides are locked andmoved together, a stop for limiting the extent of movement of said coin-operated slide and. the rearward movement. of said coin-slide, the forward movement of said coin-slide being limited by the Coin-eugaging means on said coin-operated slide.

ln a device of the character described. the combination with a coin-slide provided IOO ITO

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with a coin-seat therein, and a longitudinal slot at each side of said seat, of a coin-operated slide located beneath said coin-slide and provided with coin-engaging means seated in said longitudinal slots in the coin-slide adapted to be engaged by a coin in said seat, whereby said coin-slide and coin-operated slide will be locked and moved together to the limit of their rearward movement.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-slide provided with a coin-seat therein, and a longitudinal slot at each side of said seat, of a coin-operated slide located beneath said coin-slide and provided with coin-engaging means seated in said longitudinal slots in the coin-slide adapted to be engaged by a coin in said seat, whereby said coin-slide and coin-operated slide will be locked and move together to the limit of their rearward movement, and a suitable kicker or coin-ejector operated by the coin-slide to eject the coin and thereby free said slides for independent movement.

5. ln a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-race having a coin-passage therein, and a coin-slide provided with a coin-seat therein, said seat and passage being adapted to register when said slide is drawn to its 'forward limit, of a coinejector or kicker located above said slide and operated thereby and adapted to eject the coin from said coin-seat when said slide has about reached the limit of its rearward movement.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-slide having a coin-seat therein, a coin-operated slide located beneath said coin-slide and provided with a coin-engaging means projecting above said coin-slide adapted to be engaged by a coin in said coin-seat and moved therewith, of a delivery mechanism, and means connecting said coin-operated slide with said delivery mechanism, whereby said coin-slide and coin-operated slide when operated will cause the operation of said delivery mechanism.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coinslide having a coin-seat therein, a coin-operated slide located beneath said coin-slide and provided with a coin-engaging means projecting above said coin-slide adapted to be engaged by a coin in said coin-seat and moved therewith, of a notched wheel or disk connected with a delivery mechanism, means connecting said `coin-operated slide with said notched wheel or disk to operate the same when said coinslide and coin-operated slide are locked and moved together.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-slide having a coin-seat therein, a coin-operated slide adapted to be engaged by a coin in said coin-seat, whereby said slides are locked and moved together, of a notched disk connected with a delivery mechanism, means connecting said coin-operated slide with said notched disk to operate the same when said coin-slide and said coin-operated slide are locked and move toward the limit of their rearward movement, and means controlled by said coinslide and engaging said notched wheel, whereby said notched wheel or disk is held locked against either forward or backward rotation.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-slide having a coin-seat therein, a coin-operated slide adapted to be engaged by a coin in said coin-seat and moved therewith, of a notched wheel or disk connected with a delivery mechanism, a loosely-mounted pawl adjacent to said disk or notched wheel and adapted to engage the notches thereof for the purpose of giving said disk or notched wheel a step-by-step rotation, and adjustable means connecting said pawl and said coin-operated slide, whereby when said slides are locked and moved together said notched disk will be operated at each operation of the slides, and a locking means adapted to engage the notched wheel or disk and hold the same in locked position, said locking means being raised from and lowered into engagement with said wheel or disk by the movement of the coin-slide.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-slide, and a notched wheel or disk with a delivery mechanism, of a locking-bar adapted to engage said notched wheel, a spring-pressed pawl on said bar adapted to be engaged by the coinslide during its rearward movement to lift said locking-bar out of engagement with said wheel or disk to permit rotation, and which on the forward movement of said slide has a yielding engagement therewith, whereby said pawl will be raised independently of said bar, which latter will remain in locked position.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-slide having a coin-seat therein, a coin-operated slide adapted to be engaged by a coin in said coin-seat, a coin-race above and a coin-chute below said lides, and a gate at the end of the coin-chute, of means connected with said gate to hold the same closed, means attached to the coinoperated slide adapted, when said slide is moved rearwardly, to cause said gate to be opened, and a kicker or ejector to eject the coin from the coin-seat into said coin-chute.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination with a notched wheel or disk connected with a delivery mechanism, of a coin-slide having a coin-seat therein, mechanism adapted to be engaged and operated by the coin in said coin-seat to rotate said notched disk, one step, locking means controlled by the movement of said coin-slide to lock and unlock said notched disk and means IOO IIO

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